Baltimore’s indoor soccer franchise has played its home games at Royal Farms Arena (formerly the Baltimore Arena) since the team’s first-ever game in Baltimore on November 29th, 1980. The Blast defeated Philadelphia, 10-7, that night to kick off what has been 35 years of professional indoor soccer in the Charm City.

Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility, has long been considered an anchor of the community, which contributes to the growth and prosperity of Baltimore. The facility opened in 1962 and was the cornerstone of the Baltimore Inner Harbor redevelopment. Major renovations occurred in the late 80's. Royal Farms Arena is just a short distance from harbor front attractions and major hotels. An 850-car garage is attached to the facility for the convenience of patron parking and there are thousands of additional parking spaces nearby.

Royal Farms Arena has gone through many name changes throughout the years. It began as the Civic Center in 1962, in 1986 the facility was renamed the Baltimore Arena, in 2003 was renamed 1st Mariner Arena, it was again renamed Baltimore Arena at the end of 2012 and in 2014 is now Royal Farms Arena. The official opening of the Civic Center began with a Baltimore Clippers game with entertainment by Paul Anka. From there, the list of stars and guests increased with acts like the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Supremes, and more.

Royal Farms Arena is a City-owned facility which hosts an average of 800,000 guests and 120 events annually. One professional sports franchise-- the Baltimore Blast soccer team calls Royal Farms Arena home. Shows like Sesame Street Live, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Stars on Ice, Monster Jam, Motocross, WWE and more, regularly play the facility each year. The Arena also hosts events such as boxing, basketball, graduations, tennis, comedy shows and other miscellaneous events.

SMG, a Philadelphia-based private facility management company, assumed leadership of Royal Farms Arena in 1999. Since then the Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment such as Bruce Springsteen, U2, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, The Eagles, the Rolling Stones and more. In April of 2006 Royal Farms Arena hosted the 55th Annual Miss USA Competition. In the fall of 2009, the Arena served as the host of Maryland’s first ever Mixed Martial Arts event, Shogun Fights.

Royal Farms Arena has 11,000 permanent seats (three levels in a horseshoe shape) facing a 58' deep x 117' wide x 42' high wooden permanent proscenium stage. Temporary seating is used on the floor and/or the stage for various event configurations. With floor seating, concert or meeting capacity is 13,500; other shows and sporting events capacities range from 11,000 to 14,000. The Arena can also be curtained down to a 5,000-person capacity with a portable stage house center. The ice system was completely replaced in 1997.

Royal Farms Arena is easily accessible via Interstates 95, 295, 83 and 395 and is located approximately seven miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. The light rail and major bus lines stop alongside the facility.

In 2009, Royal Farms Arena was named the No. 1 Arena in the United States by Billboard Magazine and Venues Today. No other U.S. building in its category bested Royal Farms Arena as the highest-grossing Arena.

From points south via 95 North:
95 North to 395 North. Royal Farms Arena is three blocks ahead on the right.

From points south via 295 North:
295 North (becomes Russell Street at city limits).
Russell North (becomes Paca).
Paca North to Baltimore.
Right on Baltimore Street; 2 blocks to Arena (on right hand-side at Howard and Baltimore streets).

From points north via 95 South:
95 South through Fort McHenry Tunnel to 395 (Exit 53 - Downtown).
Baltimore Arena is three blocks ahead on the right at the end of 395.

From Hunt Valley, York, Harrisburg, and Southern PA:
83 South to St. Paul, south to Lombard. Right on Lombard.
Proceed north to Royal Farms Arena.

From Western Maryland, Frederick, Hagerstown:
70 or 40 West to 695 (Baltimore Beltway). Proceed on 695 (towards Glen Burnie) to 95 North to 395 (follow directions from 395 as above).

From Eastern Shore / Bay Bridge:
Route 50 to 97 North to Baltimore.
695 to Towson. 95 North to exit at 395 downtown.
Proceed with directions as above.

Parking:
There are approximately 22,000 parking spaces in the general vicinity, and an 850-car garage, which abuts the facility on Howard Street for the convenience of patron parking.

Light Rail:
Runs between Hunt Valley and Glen Burnie.
Seven of light rail's 32 stops are in Downtown, Baltimore.
There is a stop on Howard Street directly in front of the Arena.
Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 6am-11pm; Sat 8am-11pm; Sun 11am-7pm.